Campaigning with RNIB Scotland

RNIB Scotland actively campaigns on matters of interest or concern to blind and partially sighted people. We engage with MSPs, MPs, Councillors, civil servants, media, and commercial, public and third sector bodies in pursuit of these matters.

Street Charter

The RNIB Street Charter campaign is seeking to persuade local authorities to control the number of obstacles that block streets. A third of blind and partially sighted people surveyed by RNIB said they had been injured by pavement obstacles when walking outside. Advertising boards, bollards, bins and cars parked on pavements were the most common obstacles encountered.

We are also concerned about plans to introduce 'shared spaces' in town and city centres where pavements are levelled. We are pointing out that guide-dog and white-stick users rely on kerbs to give tactile clues. Drivers will be unaware pedestrians with sight loss can't see them.

Accessible healthcare information

People with sight loss are entitled to receive communications and information from healthcare providers in a format that is accessible to them. But we know many still aren’t. We are asking blind and partially sighted people about their experiences to inform our case for improving the system.

Social Security

A number of disability benefits are being devolved to the Scottish Government. We are pressing to make the new system fairer and better attuned to the needs and circumstances of people with sight loss. We want to ensure those carrying out assessments have a clear understanding of how different types of sight loss impact on what people can and can't do.

Ensuring school children with sight loss get the support they need

Blind and partially sighted school children may not receive the additional support they need because of a shortage of specialist teachers.

We're calling on local authorities to invest in more Qualified Teachers of Visual Impairment (QTVIs) by providing greater incentives to complete the required training. We're also pressing the Scottish Government to report annually on educational attainment by school pupils with a visual impairment.

Influencing the Scottish Parliament

This fifth term of the Scottish Parliament (2016-21) coincides with the devolution of greater responsibilities to Holyrood. In our manifesto for the last election we outlined areas which could significantly improve life for people in Scotland who are blind or partially sighted. Like most developed countries, we have an ageing population. So sight loss, inevitably, will become a more common feature of our society.

Our proposals - including more emphasis on prevention, improving the registration system, and emotional and practical support for those newly diagnosed - can make Scotland a kinder, safer and more inclusive place. The costs are relatively modest, but the gains could be far-reaching and profound.

Cross-Party Group on Visual Impairment

RNIB Scotland also acts as the secretariat of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Visual Impairment. Its membership includes backbench MSPs from all parties, other sight loss organisations and sight loss professionals.

Other campaigning work

At UK level, we work alongside RNIB's wider campaigns such as RNIB’s Bus Charter to ensure that public transport services are accessible, and pressing for welfare benefits to be better attuned to the needs and circumstances of people with sight loss.

We also engage with RNIB Scotland’s Connect community in identifying issues we might campaign on.

Interested in campaigning with RNIB Scotland? Please get in touch with Cate Vallis at [email protected]